"Put me down, please," I returned.

He walked to the old chest under the gable-window, seated himself on it,
and set me down beside him. I slipped from the chest, and knelt on the
floor at his feet, a little way in front of him. I did not touch him, and
all was again quite dark about us.

I told him my story from beginning to end, along with a great part of my
meditations while hesitating to do the deed. I felt very choky, but
forced my way through, talking with a throat that did not seem my own,
and sending out a voice I seemed never to have heard before. The moment I
ceased, a sound like a sob came out of the darkness. Was it possible my
big uncle was crying? Then indeed there was no hope for me! He was
horrified at my wickedness, and very sorry to have to give me up! I
howled like a wild beast.

"Please, uncle, will you kill me!" I cried, through a riot of sobs that
came from me like potatoes from a sack.

"Yes, yes, I will kill you, my darling!" he answered, "--this way! this
way!" and stretching out his arms he found me in the dark, drew me to
him, and covered my face with kisses.

"Now," he resumed, "I've killed you alive again, and the ugly secret is
dead, and will never come to life any more. And I think, besides, we have
killed the hen that lays the egg-secrets!"

He rose with me in his arms, set me down on the chest, lighted his lamp,
and carried it to the cabinet. Then he returned, and taking me by the
hand, led me to it, opened wide the drawer of offence, lifted me, and